


^ff,^ :; 









^V, , ' '^ ' 



Apology. 



As the warmth of temperature hatcheth an 
egg, even so the fantasy of idealty breedeth qual- 
ity. As the mariner on the high seas steers hi» 
course by his star, even so we attain accomplish- 
ments by our ideal. 

Upon the fairies of childhood and the fan-^~ 
tasies of youth the Monument of manhood or 
womanhood must rest secure or insecure as we 
lay this Bed-rock upon the everlasting- Kock of 
pious serenity or the shifting Sands of ruthless 
vanity. 

Fantasy has its mission. If these ethical and 
aesthetical fantasies may wake in dreaming youth 
a latency which waketh not ere its prime to 
accomplish for moral integrity of manly honor 
and womanly virtue, anything like, what for 
instance. The Jules Verne Fantasies accomplished 
for science and invention, then it will have 
been well for me to conserve these playful dittiea 
of my youth. 

GEORGE KELLER DeLONG. 



\. 




George Keller DeLong 



SENTIMENTAL FANTASIES 

OR 

s ©f a Lover 

By George Keller DeLong 




II EDITION ' V 

1916 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 

ALLENTOWN, PA. 



PRICE lO CENTS 



THE ALLEN PUBLISHING CO', 
ALLENTOWN. PA. 






•{COPYRIGHT, 1913—1916, 

BY 

^GEORGE KELLER DeLONG.) 

(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) 



FEB -4 I9!6 

©Ct.A420635 

\.0 .^\ . 



THE MYSTIC NECTAR OR NEVADA'S 
CHARM. 

*'Oh water lily fair — 

White cup of purity — 
Who shaped thee with such care 

To such maturity ? 

"Who graced thee so to be 
Pure virtue's emblem mild? 

Who breathed soul into thee 

Thou virtue's semblance child? 

"And lo, the nectar that 

The gods have left undrained^ — 

Dew mingled with thy fat 

Hast thou them deft constrained?'* 

"Nevada hovered here, 

She shed enraptured tears 
Delighting in this sphere: ' :' 

Drain not who capture fears. 

"She shaped me in her palm; 

Her pure transcendency 
Imparting magic charm — 

Sweet virtue's tendency." 

I stooped and drained the cup 
To be . her captured knight, 

My bosom swelling up^ 

Mine was enraptured plight. 



THE MOUNTAIN'S TESTIMONY, OR 
NEVADA'S GRACE. 

I shouted to the mountain peak: 
"Why lift thy. "head so high?" . 

The mountain echoed back with chicL 
"Seest thou the .qu.een pass by? 



"O'er yonder plains triumphantly 
She leads her conqu'ring bands. 

Her trail marks sweet tranquility- 
Most prospering- of lands." 

I looked and io, Nevada's grace 
Blessed all the world around: 

Her grace all troubles did efface. 
No grace like hers was found. 

I could at once the myth construe- 

The poetry well see; 
If I Nevada never knew 

The world were naught to me. 



THE RIVER'S TESTIMONY, OR NEVADA'S 
SERENITY. 

I stood upon the highest mount, 
Gazed o'er the world around, 
Saw many streams abound 

For which I fairly would account. 

I raised my voice and shouted forth: 
"Oh whence, ye silver streams, 
This grace which much redeems. 

Affording to the world stich worth?" 

"We mark the path Nevada traced; 

Such was her grace serene — 

The fairest noblest queen — 
With silver streams the world she graced." 

"Ye are poetic in your song 

Which I can well construe 

A portrait very true. 
May ye fore'er your song prolong." 



A DEEP CLEAR STREAM, OR NEVADA'S 
INTEGRITY. 

I stood on the brink of a deep clear stream 
Whose sheen was as clear as a crystal mass 

Reflecting the firmament's azure gleam 
As clearly distinct as a looking glass. 

I gazed in this mirror to but behold 

A portrait complete of my very own, 

I thought of a legend as yet untold 

But which very clearly to me was shown. 

"O beautiful, silently flowing stream 

Thou owest to whom such a crystal sheen? 

Some goddess hath blessed thee I dare to deem. 
Such beauty of grace is so seldom seen." 

"Nevada once gazed in my rippling mass, 
So much of her favor I once did gain. 

She gave me a glance and it came to pass: 
The sheen of her glory I still retain." 

"Oh beautiful stream what a legend thine — 

A portrait of virtuous purity! 
Thy poetry does unto me enshrine 

A shade of Nevada's integrity. 

"In thee I behold only what I am; 

In her I behold what I hope to be: 
She clasps in her hand the bright Diadem 

Which I would so fainly deserve for me." 



SONG OF THE BROOK, OR NEVADA'S 
\TRTTJE. 

'Twaa May and all was sweet. 
The songsters of the Spring 
Were here and all did sing 

The Summer clime to greet. 



The breeze lulled sweetly low, 
The orchards were abloom, 
The air bore sweet perfume 

Nor did a cloudlet show. 

Along- the brook I strolled 

To hear its mystic song- 

As it would flow along 
While it to seaward rolled. 

By mystic ciphering 

These words I could construe — 

Sweet as I ever knew 
Or any bard could sing: 

""I'm full of love and care. 

My humble beating heart 

Would ever love inipart: 
It's due of sorrow share." 

"Thou singing all day long 

Such words so sweet and calm 
That work a magic charm. 

Where didst thou learn this song?" 

"Nevada," said the brook, - • 

"Strolled on my banks one day 
And sang this precious lay 

Which I at once did book. 



"I sing it o'er and o'er. 

It suits mine own so well 

That oft as I it tell 
I love it e'er the more." 

"Thou singing all day long — 
Thou Shalt not sing alone. 
Thy song shall be mine own- 
Nevada's sweetest song." 



THE EASTER BLOOM, OR NEVADA'S 
VIRGINITY. 

"Oh Easter bloom what grace divine 

Enshrines thee so serene 
That for my worship thou a shrine 

Art innocently green?" 

"Nevada here poured forth her zeal 
With all her virgin grace 

While she devoutly here did kneel 
Approaching fate to face." 

"Oh virgin bloom, serene and pure^ 
My life shalt thou adorn 

For to this end I'm very sure 
Nevada too was born." 



THE VIOLETS, OR NEVADA'S MODESTY 

I wandered by the meadow's edge 

Along a rocky dell 
In quest to find .some mystic pledge 

That beauty's grace might swell. 

And here I found some violets 
Like modest maidens' eyes: 

As one who all things else forgets 
I fancied Paradise. 

"Oh pretty modest violets 

Who taught ye so to lure 
With mystic art such as begets; 

What no man can endure? 

"Who taught ye this sweet modest grace 
That men's grave hearts invokes 

To revel in the wooing chase 
And muster duty's yokes? 



"Why seek ye refuge 'neath the thorns 

By briars fortified 
When much of much less worth adorns 

The place ye should have vied?" 

"Nevada hid her virtues here 

And made strong men to dare 

So that the chase was so severe 
To prove if they would care; 

"Their blood from bleeding bruises flowed 
And thus our deep blue hue: 

Nevada modesty bestowed, 
Her lovers dyed us blue." 

Impulsively I bruised my hand 
Nor grudged a drop of blood 

The modest violets to brand 

And grant that they were good. 



THE MEADOW'S EMULATION, OR 
NEVADA'S SMIIiE. 

"Oh sm^iling meadow, waving bloom 
Whence this sweet grace thou dost assume 
Which fills me with such mysteries 
That give to me sweet ecstacies." 



"Nevada smiled all o'er her face; 

From her I borrowed all my grace, 
I cannot help but emulate. 
Such grace I fain would imitate." 



"Forsooth thy smile comes but a shade 
To that sweet smile which does not fade 

From mine own memory fore'er; 

No more than that art thou, ah ne'er." 



10 



THE FLUSHING ROSE, OR NEVADA'S 
ARDENT PRAYER. 

"Oh crimson rose whence this thy flush? 
Flee modesty and break the hush: 

I'm sure 'tis not sheer modesty 

Nor guilt of any villiany." 

"Nevada raised her voice in prayer 
To God who heareth ev'ry where; 

She knelt and faced the rising- snn 

As always is her day begrun. 

"Her invocation me did thrill 

I then bent o'er the window sill 

And gently kissed her flushing cheek, 
The grace of which I still bespeak." 

"Oh crimson rose thou flushing bloom 

Anxieties no more shall gloom: 
Her invocation God hath heard 
Thy flushing mood is hence absurd. 

"Nevada hence with me shall rise 

On pinions borne to Paradise. 

'Tis mine to flush with ardent prayer 
That God may grant me grace of care. 



SWEET PEAS, OR NEVADA'S LAY. 

"Oh climbing vine thou dost enshrine 

Within my memory 
A thought divine which does incline 

My whole integrity, 

"So let me hear the legend dear 

Of thy significance. 
Now who did rear such grace sincere 
Like thy benevolence?" 



11 



"Nevada's say is all my lay — 

I echo but sweet peace — 
Since that fair day when she did pray 

That warring- hate might cease." 

Thy gladsome peal doth well reveal 

The craving of my soul. 
Nevada's love of all above, 

Hath sped me to my goal. 



SWEET CliOVER BLOOM, OR NEVADA'S 
KISS. 

I strolled among the fields one day, 

A mass of waving pink 
Was curling, twirling like, some lips 

Of which it made me think. 

I stooped and kissed the waving bloom, 

And oh! it was so sweet. 
"Oh clover bloom whence this sweet grace 

Wherewith thou me dost greet?" 

"Nevada took some sympathy 

Imparting me a kiss: 
Her sweetness never failed me since — 

The sweetest that e'er is." 

"Thy honey, oh sweet clover bloom! 

The busy bees may sip 
If only I my portion find 

Upon Nevada's lip." 

***** 

THE MOUNTAIN LAKE, OR NEVADA'S 
FAVOR. 

"Oh sparkling lake by mountains cleft, 
Serene thy gracious splendor 

Enthralls my ardor and my zest — 
Some homage I must render. 



12 



"Upon the mountains' bosom cleft, 
The heavenly sky thy dinker: 

Within the basin of thy depth 
The stars all vie to linger, 

"Art' thou the tears of gods or whence 
This splendor so enthralling".' 

I fain would know, what though perchance 
Thy legend be appalling." 

"Within Nevada's eyes I found 

The favor this entailing — 
In her blest virtue does abound 

Serenest grace unfailing." 

"Within thy depth the stars may vie 

To linger there forever 
If only in Nevada's eye 

I ply no vain endeavor." 



SPRING, OR NEVADA'S MYSTIC WAXD. 

"Oh Spring, lo when thy quick'ning breath arrives 
Where all feigned death there living verdure thrives; 
All living verdure bursts forth into bloom 
And all thy breath becomes a sweet perfume, 

"What mystic wand hath graced thee thus to bless 
Earth's heaving bosom with such fond caress? 
Whence hast thou borrowed such a grace serene 
That thou canst turn dead gray to living green?" 

"Nevada's bosom heaved — her sighing breath, 
First wrought the miracle that quickened death, 
This mystic wand she taught me thus to sway: 
Sans her serenity death still were gray." 

"Oh gentle breeze, forever sing thy song, 
Forsooth I cannot comprehend thee wrong; 
For had Nevada never here passed by. 
Like o'er eternal death I'd have to sigh." 

13 



THE RIPENING WHEAT, OR NEVADA'S 
CROWN. 

"Oh waving ripening wheat 
Whence this sweet mystic treat 

That wakes my admiration? 
Whence came thine auburn hue— =• 
Bright as I ever knew 

In all the hue creation?" 

"Nevada hovered here — 
A queenly maiden dear 

Ah! we believe thou carestt 
We bent to kiss her hair — 
Her ^waving tresses fair 

Which are the very fairest.** 

"How can I help but care — 
Aye, woo one crowned so fair 

As is the queen Nevada. 
Crowned with the emblem zeal,. 
Her grace one needs must feel — - 

It falls around about her." 



THE BL003fING CORNTOPS, OR NEVADA'S 
THOUGHTS. 

"Oh blooming corntops of the field 
What glaring myth can ye me yield ? 
What emulation bears ye grace 
To wield such puzzling grand displays ?"^ 

"Nevada we would emulate — 

To see her once was our good fate; 

Her forehead was with thoughts abloom— 

Her role at play would we asume.' 

"Oh waving corntops mingle ye 
Your virtues with such poetry. 
Just as ye mingle virtues now 
Mine own would with Nevada's brow..'''' 

14 



fHE SILVER LEAF, OR NEVADA'S EVES. 

I strolled along the meadow brook 

To view its many charms: 
In poetry I fain would book 

Some of its mystic Dsalms. 

I spied a sparkling silver leaf 

Which through the ripples shone. 

My find afforded some relief — 
For song this would atone. 

"Oh silver leaf, thine is a song 
Which fainly I would hear. 

With all my heart and soul I long 
To hear your song so dear." 

"Nevada gazed within the brook, 

I caught her silv'ry eyes: 
I found within her tender look 

The light of Paradise." 

•'Nevada's silv'ry eyes have wrought 

That miracle for me: 
How precious is this shining thought 

Which all the world may see." 



THE SEASHELL, OR NEVADA'S LISTFULt 
EARS. 

I strolled along the ocean strand 
And found a sea shell on the sand 

That won my admiration. 
The murmur of the sea I thought 
In its enfoldings it had caught — 

I begged an explanation. 

To my delight I then did hear — 
"It was Nevada's listful ear 

15 



That here made imploration.' 
I no more parted with the shell, 
For it does mystic murmurs tell 

Which need no explanation. 



THE WILD RED ROSE, OR NEVADA'S CHEEK. 

I str®lled alone one day in June — 
One lovely sunny afternoon — 

Along the forest edge. 
My fancy caught the wild red rose 
To see what myth it might disclose — 

What beauty it might pledge. 

'Twas thus my meditation led: 

"Oh whence this hue of pinkish red 

That makes my heart to leap? 
Whence didst thou borrow all the grace 
Which thou dost wear — and all thy race 

While o'er the earth ye creep?" 

Quite humbly she did bow her head, 
In softest whisper sweetly said: 

"Thou speakest very sweet; 
But then my beauty were not such 
As I were not admired so much 

But for Nevada's treat. 

^'I bloomed for many Summers here 
Yet no one cared to hold me dear; 

By none was I caressed 
Until Nevada came my way. 
One fair and lovely Sunimer day — 

Since that fair day I'm blest, 

■"The lustre of her rosy cheeks 
My glory now in full bespeaks — 

From her I borrowed all. 
She is a fair and noble queen — 
'The fairest lady ever seen 

On this terrestrial ball." 

16 



I bowed me o'er the wild red rose 
That did such mystic lore disclose — 

My heart was filled with bliss. 
Full well I knew that all her grace 
Was borrowed from Nevada's face, 

And her I gave a kiss. 



AUTU3IX LEAVES, OR NEVADA'S LIPS, 
EYES, HAIR AND CARRIAGE. 

I strolled along in solitude 

The forest trees among 
To gather me some Autumn leaves 

And hear their mystic song. 

I found a pretty auburn leaf 

And one of silver gray, 
Another was a scarlet red 

That had just gone astray. 

My yearning heart persuaded me — 

I did the myth implore 
That made me crave these Autumn leaves, 

I did so much adore. 

"Oh Autumn leaf of auburn hue 

Do tell me now, I pray, 
Where didst thou find this stately hue 

Which thou dost wear today?" 

"Ne\ada passed the other day 

As I came falling down — 
I floated like a fairy wing 

And brushed her auburn crown." 

"And thou, oh leaf of tender gray> 

Of thee I do implore, 
Where foundest thou the habit that 

Bespeaks so much galore?" 

17 



^'I floated oa the Autumn breeze 

Just as a fairy flies, 
Kevada came across my path — 

I caught her tender eyes." 

"For all the glory thou dost wear 
Canst thou to me account, 

Oh scarlet leaf, I fain would know 
Where thou such hue hast found?" 

^'I could my place no more forbear, 
I sought for sweeter bliss, 

I met Nevada on my way 
And stole of her a kiss." 

I lingered yet within the grov^e: 
All sweetly calm did seem 

When suddenly a chorus rose 
That dazed me as a dream. 

A liost of leaves assumed a grace — 

A feat not often seen: 
With one accord they sang this song 

Of some fair heroine: 

"Nevada hovered o'er this path, 
Her grace moved as a queen; 

Oh that we could assume such grace 
As we of her have seen." 

I gathered up these Autumn leaves 
And pressed them to my heart — 

Their treasured legend tempted me 
With them no more to part. 



THE SWEET SCENTED ROSE, OR NEVADA'S 
BREATH AND COMPLEXION. 

"Oh beautiful sweet-scented rose 
I wonder wherefore thee I chose. 

Wherefore I love thy dear sweet scent 
To deem thee worth a compliment?" 

18 



"While here she sought to have repose 

I gently kissed Nevada's nose. 

And when her precious breath I caugrht 
The miracle at once was wrought." 

"Nevada thou canst not compare 
For her complexion is more fair. 

Thy scent is sweet but — still more sweet- 
Nevada's breath is thy defeat." 



THE TURTIiE DOVE'S COOING, OR 
NEVADA'S VOICE. 

Enrapt in reverie 
I heard as if I vaguely dreamed 

A strange sweet melody — 
Nevada's voice it almost seemed. 

"Fair love — sweet love — dear love" — 
Was what I could of it construe. 

When lo, a turtle dove 
Had called his mate as if to woo, 

"Oh turtle dove just coo; 
Thy song indeed is very choice — 

A compliment is due, 
Yet sweeter is Nevada's voice." 



THE DEW-DROP, OR NEVADA'S TEAR OP 
RAPTURE. 

"Oh sparkling little dew-drop 
Whence thy bewitching daze 

That makes my heart to greet thee 
And gives me such a craze? 

"Whence all thy sparkling beauty 

That is in thee displayed? 
Whence this thy glowing glory 

Wherewith thou art arrayed ?" 

19 



"Nevada shed some rapture 
To greet the dawn of day — 

She parted with a tear drop 

Whence conies my sparkhng ray.'* 

"Thou emulating- jewel, 

Resplendent in the sun, 
Nevada's deed is truely 

I^ove's radiance begun." 

***** 

THK ITKAVING WAVE, OR NEVADA'S 
BOSOM, 

I stood ui)on the ocean strand, 

My thought was at the waves' command; 

Inquisitively I implored 

What for my heart the waves adored. 

"Oh heaving wave of restless sea 
What poetry hast thou for me 
Which gives mo such sweet ecstacy 
Quite like a waking memory?" 

"Nevada stood upon my strand, 

Her knight's fair ship approached the land, 

Her heaving bosom rose and fell 

By which sweet grace I have this spell." 

"Oh troubled sea be soothed and calm, 
Thy surging waves no more can harm: 
My ship is anchored safe at last. 
Thy tale 's a memoir of the past." 



SNOW, OR NEVADA'S MANTILE. 

The earth was hidden quite from view- 
All covered up with snow; 

Of poetry this bare a cue, 

And I of needs must know. 



20 



"Hey! mountain peak, ho! valley deep, 
Hello! ye stretching- plains. 

TVhere are ye? Are ye gone to sleep 
Like one who all disdains?" 

"Nevada cast her mantle off 

And spread it o'er the earth; 

And no one can at us now scoff 
Who knoweth of its worth. 

"'The clouds to envy are provoked; 

• The trees all vainly frown: 
In purity we are enrobed 
YV^ithin Nevada's gown." 

"'Nevada only shed her g-own 

To be enrobed anew 
And honor me with her renown 

More splendidly than you." 

***** 
ECHO, OR NEVADA'S SYMPATHY. 

When I was a child 
I can fully well remember * 

How T often loved to scamper 

Over pastures wild. 

How I'd shout and sing 
Or would make all kinds of noises- — 
Mystified how strange my voices 

Made the echoes ring. 

Oh how sweet the joy 
That some myth should be respecting— 
The delightful shout reflecting 

Of a little boy. 

Thus my poetry — 
How I joyously regard her 
Since I whispered to Nevada 

What I hope to be. 



21 



How with odds I'd cope: 
Told Nevada of my yearning, 
Hoping she would not he spurning 

All my fondest hope. 

Aye, her sympathy 
Echoed back my aspiration 
With a glad'ning admiration, 

Bringing joy to me. 



CYPREPEDIUMS, OR NEVADA'S FEET. 

*'Oh dainty form of rythmic grace, 

What goddess hath ascended 
Above the earthly graveled ways 

To fly, on wings extended, 

'To worlds unknown of heights undreamed — 
This humble earth e'er spurning: 

From all the pain of care redeemed; 
Above all anxious yearning, 

^'That now I here find yet intact 

Her graceful dainty slipper. 
Oh could I've only seen the act 

When pow'r from heaven did grip her." 

"Oh foolish dreamer to concieve 

That gods from earth were banished. 

*Twould make the heart of nature grieve 
If gods hence ever vanished, 

'This day a lesson you shall learn 
If you will heed our warning: 

The gods this earth least never spurn — 
We are the gods' adorning. 

*'Nevada>ijio^ close by our side, 
Her feet were tripping sweetly; 

We fain would have her here abide 
And greeted her discreetly: 

22 



"We stooped, embraced Nevada's feet; 

She from our fold withdrew them: 
We thus retain their form complete — 

The miracle came through them.' 

"Oh floral fold, fore'er adorn 
The path Nevada founded. 

That all the hosts of maidens born 
May trip where e'er she bounded." 



Explanatory Note 

Many readers assume at a glance that these 
verses are written for the glorification of the 
state of Nevada, which is an error as I have 
chosen this name as authors chose names for their 
heroes or heroines. 

The state of Nevada was named after the 
mountains of Nevada, and so was the river that 
drains their slopes; but the mountains were so 
named because they are crowned with perpetual 
snow. 

Ne\ada is a Spanish term for snow and snow 
in poetry is a posy for purity. My theme being 
to glorify the feminine virtues and in selecting a 
name for my heroine, the relative similitude, so 
evident once this term is generally understood, is 
what appealed to my fervor. 

Readers may find themselves at a loss to fol- 
low the narrative trend by failing to grasp the 
strict notation (quotations in particular) by which 
alone the play of characters is determined; as I 
have saved on printer's ink, assuming that the 
tone of every quotation is as evident to the reader 
as if one were listening to different voices. 

As a reader I often wished that authors were 
not so prodigal with explanations that were gen- 
erally understood or went without saying: It is 
thus^ I offer the- gist -of the Grist without the Chaff. 
GEORGtE^K^iJt^R DeEONG. 

23 



r^^ 



x.^ 



Other Books by the Same Author 

The •'Pathos of Song" and other Poems, size 
7x5 inches, forty pages, thirty themes, neatly 
bound with paper covers and stamped in gilt, sent 
postage prepaid for 25 cents. The "Pathos of 
Song," now in its third edition, is sequeled by 
"The Arm Most Strong" and other Poems, larger 
in size than "The Pathos of Song," but only 25 
cents, or both books for 50 cents. 

Address all orders to 

G. K. DeLong, 
5 38 Gordon Street, AUentown, Pa. 



Note — "ThePathos of Song and Other Poems*»~ 
was first published in 1905. I did not publish until 
I had assurance from the erudite that my work 
was acceptably meritorious. The MS was passed 
upon by the local high school principal and the 
"Town and Country" editor, who became inter- 
ested after I had contributed to the local papers. 
The following letters show how the book was re- 
ceived when it came off the press. Note that at 
the time of first publishing, 1905, I was a cHizen 
of Pennsburg, Pa., but now, 1916, I live in Allen- 
town. Pa. 



Credentials From The Erudite 

"The Pathos of Song" deserves the close at- 
tention of all lovers of poetry, as all of its offer- 
ings are replete with ennobling thoughts and 
beautiful sentiments touching real life. 

While not all of the poems deserve equal 
merit, "Passion's Dream'' (P.- 34) shows the work 
of a master who has drunken'deeply at the foun- 
tain of the muse." ^''Towrt&' Country." 

2^ 



By a Popular Lutheran IVIinistcr. 

"In publishing this collection of your poems 
you have rendered important service to the rising- 
generation and the community at large. May 
your book have a large sale. Respectfully yours. 

Rev. O. F. Waage, 

* * T): * * 

By Pastor St. Mark's Church, Pennsburg. 

"I have read "The Pathos of Song," which is 
a volume of interesting gems of thought from 
life in beautiful rhyme. The strength of the com- 
position lies in the fact that the author does not 
present the fanciful and imaginary only but deals 
with the real, which is the interpretation of his 
wide experience with humanity. 

The work is acceptable and deserves recogni- 
tion. I therefore recommend it to the public very 
heartily." Rev. William U. Kistler. 

***** 

By Father of Orphans' Home. 

"The orphans w^ill appreciate the gift (The 
Pathos of Song) very much." 

Rev. J. W. Raker. 
***** 

By Pastor of Xew Goshenhoppen Ref. Church. 

"I carefully read The Pathos of Song and 
Other Poems, and was highly pleased. 

The compositions show not only rhyme and 
rythm but genuine poetry. Running all through 
the verses you feel beating a poet's breast. 

It is indeed remarkable, I almost said mirac- 
ulous, that a young man with very limited edu- 
cational facilities should gain proficiency to write 
such verses. 

'The Pathos of Song and Other Poems' should 
find its way into every Pennsylvania German 
home, not only because the author deserves our 
kindliest encouragement, but also because these 
poems flow out of the common life of his people." 

Rev. Calvin M. DeLong. 
26 



By Pastor of Pcnnsburg Reformed Church. 

"I sincerely think the volume of poetry, "The 
Pathos of Song-," has the true ring of the risingr 
poet. 

"In its pages one can at once see a lover of 
nature's God and of his fellowmen. 

This, I think, is the essence of the true poet." 

Rea. Geo. IV.. Lutz. 
Reading Telegram. 

" 'The Pathos of Song,' the slDirit of his poetry 
is poetical; his sentiment is clean and uplifting^ 
and no one can read his verses without feeling 
better and more cheerful." 

***** 
By an Institutional Paper 
"This little volume is meeting with a cheerful, 
welcome wherever it is being read." 

O^phaiCs Home Paper, Topton. 
***** 

By Evangelical IMinister, 

"I have read 'The Pathos of Song' with much 
interest and profit." 

Rev. N. L. Bechtet. 
***** 

Introduction to "The Arm Most Strong 
and Other Poems." 



By Prof. 31. N. Huttel. 

A budding genius appeared before the public 
a year ago when "The Pathos of Song" was 
launched, and various criticisms were made, many 
adverse, but others favorable. The latter came as 
a spur to the author George Keller DeLong, and 
induced him to make greater effort to please and 
to merit the approval of that portion of humanity 
that believes in the uplifting of the masses 
through the means of ennobling thought pre- 
sented in pleasing language. 

27 



"The Arm Most Strong and Other Poems," 
'Comprises some of the earlier efforts of the author 
•as well as some of the latest, and is ready for 
perusal. In some of the minor poems of this 
volume refined sentiments a well as wonderful 
flights of imagination are shown, while "The Arm 
Most Stfong" displays a scope of thought and a 
familiarity with the varied phases of nature and 
prove beyohd doubt that the author has the real 
poetic temperament and spirit. The poem, when 
subjected to the test of rule and measure, merits 
favorable criticism. The meter is uniform and 
well nigh perfect the rhyme is slighly forced in 
several instances and while the mind of the reader 
may carp at the defect, it takes the mind of the 
poetic gemus to improve; the lines are easy flow- 
ing and rhythmic, so that all told, "The Arm Most 
Strong" will afford pleasure to all who peruse it. 
And if the sense of pleasure is aroused, the senti- 
ments will work ultimate goood to those who de- 
light in their charms. 

"Without entering into an analysis of every 
individual poem included in the work, suffice 
it to say: That all display the utmost care on the 
part of the author. His alliterations and his line 
and double rhymes are very attractive. 

That the popular chord has been struck by 
the Author was shown by the large demand for 
"The Pathos of Song." "The Arm Most Strong" 
has a greater mission and should have a. larger 
field of circulation. The people of our community 
may well hail with delight the products emanating 
from the pen of the author who has grown up in 
their midst and is one of them in their hopes, 
their fears, their labors, their joys and their suf- 
ferings, and who stands apart to render to his fel- 
low man the noble service of raising all to a 
higher plane of thought, so that they may enjoy 
with keener sense and serve more acceptably in 
the various spheres allotted to them. 

M. N, Huitd, 



2S 



